Canadian Blood Services is once again issuing an urgent call for blood donors before Labour Day, with more than 22,000 donors needed across Canada by Aug. 26.
With many regular blood donors away or busy with summer activities, the Labour Day weekend will be a particularly challenging time to collect blood.
“While Canadians enjoy summer pastimes leading up to and during the last long weekend of the season, we’re urging them to add blood donation to their plans,” said Rick Prinzen, Canadian Blood Services’ chief supply-chain officer and vice-president of donor relations. “New donors are fundamental to meeting Canada’s blood needs over the longer term. If every donor brings a friend to donate, or encourages others to give life, they can have a tremendous impact on the supply system. We are urging people to donate by Aug. 26.”
Donations at this time will help ensure the national blood inventory can meet patient needs for the rest of summer.
People who cannot donate blood can encourage others in their networks to give on their behalf. Making an appointment to donate has never been easier. People can download the GiveBlood app or call 1-888-2-DONATE to find a nearby donation site.
Walk-in appointments are also available at all locations.
For more information, go to blood.ca.
Huu-ay-aht to celebrate raising of new pole
The raising of master carver George Nookemus’ latest work — a 3,175-kilogram totem pole for the Huu-ay-aht First Nation at the Pachena Bay Campground in Bamfield, has been delayed.
Originally scheduled for last Friday, the ceremony has been moved back.
While the concrete has been poured for the base of the pole, engineers have advised the nation that an additional two to three weeks would allow enough time for it to set. This will ensure that once the pole is up, it will remain standing for many years to come.
When it is up, the Huu-ay-aht First Nation will host a free community event in recognition of the master carver’s work. The celebration will include a beach barbecue with speeches by the band’s hereditary and elected chiefs.
For more information, go to huuayaht.org.
Clean the beach at Bazan Bay
Help clean the environment by joining a beach cleanup organized by the Peninsula Streams Society, Aug. 25 at Bazan Bay.
You can help to reduce the amount of plastic and other debris entering the ocean and remove debris washed to shore.
About 80 per cent of plastic and other debris that ends up in the ocean originates from the land. The group is trying to prevent this, while providing education to participants.
Saturday’s cleanup effort runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Bazan Bay. Meet by the bathrooms at Tulista Park, 9565 Fifth St. Sidney. Food and beverage will be provided. RSVPs appreciated.
For more information, go to peninsulastreams.ca or call 250-363-6596.
Two guide-dog organizations to merge
B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs and Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs have announced that they are amalgamating so they can provide more professionally trained service dogs for Canadian Forces and RCMP veterans suffering from PTSD.
“The need for PTSD service dogs is currently not being met,” said Mike Annan, executive director and co-founder of Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs. “We have a long list of veterans and RCMP waiting to be helped through our program.”
Since being founded in 2014, Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs has paired 26 dogs with military and RCMP veterans on Vancouver Island.
B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs was founded in 1996 and breeds, raises and professionally trains guide dogs for blind/visually impaired individuals and autism-support dogs for children aged three to 10 with profound autism.
The amalgamation of the two non-profits allows the PTSD program to double in size and expand to include veterans on the Lower Mainland. The merged organization plans to train 12 PTSD teams on Vancouver Island and 12 on the Lower Mainland.
Veteran Affairs Canada reports that at the end of last year, 14,645 veterans with a PTSD diagnosis received disability benefits — a more than 70 per cent increase over the last five years. The rate is even higher for RCMP veterans, who, in the same five-year period, reported an 81 per cent increase in members diagnosed with PTSD.
For more information, go to bcandalbertaguidedogs.com or vicompassiondogs.ca.
Student organizes sports-equipment swap
A Grade 12 student from Oak Bay High School has organized a Children and Youth Sportswap, Sept. 2 at the Oaklands Community Centre.
While her friends and classmates have been spending their spending their summer doing fun things, Leah Smith and her friend Tessa have been organizing a swap meet to redistribute sports equipment. You are encouraged to bring some of your gently used sport equipment and swap it in for some new-to-you equipment.
Smith says people don’t necessarily have to bring an item in order to take a needed item, but donations and swaps are appreciated.
Everything is free. The event runs 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2 in the recreation room of the Oaklands Community Centre, 2827 Belmont Ave.
For more information, questions or to drop off early donations, please email sportequipmentswap@gmail.com.
Cyclist celebrates cancer victory
Barbara Quelch was only 11 years old when she lost her father to cancer. Ten years ago, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. On Aug. 25 and 26, she will celebrate her and her father’s life by riding more than 200 kilometres at the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, benefiting the B.C. Cancer Foundation.
Although her battle ended with a victory, her parents were not as successful. Her father and mother were both diagnosed with lung cancer and died at ages 43 and 69, respectively.
After having experienced firsthand the benefits of cancer research, Quelch first joined the ride last year to give back.
Over the past nine years, the ride has raised more than $85 million for the B.C. Cancer Foundation.
For more information, go to conquercancer.ca.
Students spruce up housing complex
Last week, volunteers from the International Students program at Royal Roads University took part in Pacifica Housing Days of Caring, performing maintenance activities at Bethune Ridge as a way of giving back to the community.
The volunteers engaged in site cleanup, power-washing and painting, among other duties at the 23-unit subsidized housing complex in Saanich, which caters to families.
For more information, go to pacificahousing.ca or royalroads.ca.
Victoria’s Khalsa Aid helping in Haiti
Victoria-based Khalsa Aid Canada is in Haiti delivering back-to-school supplies to children in time for the start of the school year.
The charity left last week with enough supplies for 300 children in nine orphanages in the Leogane district of Haiti. They will also replenish food supplies to the orphanages during the trip, which began on Wednesday and concludes Monday.
“This will be our second mission to Haiti in 2018, and is vital to us as we support the next generation of young Haitians with a vital education after years of struggle,” said Jatinder Singh, director of Khalsa Aid Canada. “I’m looking forward to providing much-needed school supplies to make this journey easier for some of the poorest who have been orphaned since the devastating earthquake of 2010.”
Khalsa Aid International is a U.K.-based charity, started in 1999. It provides humanitarian relief across the globe. Khalsa Aid Canada has provided humanitarian relief missions to Lebanese refugee camps, Iraq’s displaced Yazidis, Guatemala and Haiti.
The organization donates to more than a dozen food banks across Canada, including Victoria’s Rainbow Kitchen. For more information, find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Come out to the makeover reveal
There is still time to register to see the big reveal of the Frump to Fabulous Make Over, a fundraiser that takes place Sept. 12 in the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre.
Women of all ages love a total makeover. Since April, the two winners of a contest have been meeting with a hairstylist, makeup artist, nutritionist and fitness trainer to learn new skills to make positive changes in their lives.
The event is sponsored by the Westshore Women’s Business Network and presented by Linda Ferguson, a fashion designer at Linda Ferguson Designs and the founder of the Frump to Fabulous Make Over. She is also one of the experts helping the two women on their journey of transformation.
The event offers attendees a signature cocktail, hors d’oeuvres, swag bags and five guest speakers who teach people how to become more empowered and confident.
All of the proceeds from the event go to Victoria Women’s Transition House, to help women who are fleeing abuse.
Tickets are $65 on eventbrite.ca. The event runs 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Kinsmen Fieldhouse of the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, 1767 Island Hwy. For more information, go to Facebook or lindaferguson.ca.
Donations aid fire evacuees
The Red Cross has just launched its B.C. Fires Appeal for donations to help people affected by this summer’s wildfires.
The humanitarian organization will work alongside the province, local authorities and First Nations to plan how to help those affected by the wildfires now and in the weeks and months ahead.
“More than 3,000 people have already been evacuated from their homes this summer, and there continues to be more than 560 wildfires burning across the province,” said Kimberley Nemrava, Canadian Red Cross vice-president, British Columbia and Yukon. “With the donations from generous Canadians, the Red Cross will help ensure people are cared for now and as they start their recovery.”
People wishing to make a financial donation can call 1-800-418-1111, contact their local Canadian Red Cross office or go online at redcross.ca.
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You can ease the suffering of evacuees from wildfires burning in the province by donating hygiene products to those affected on Monday at Disaster Aid Canada.
The Victoria-based agency is collaborating with Emergency Management B.C. to ensure efforts are concentrated and exactly what is needed in the effected area.
Volunteers have already been busy putting kits together for the first shipment to evacuees.
Community partner Ace Couriers transported supplies from donors and participating Rotary Clubs as the Evacuation Centre opened in Williams Lake.
The Disaster Aid Canada warehouse will be open Monday or Wednesday, for donations of new hygiene products - soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, body lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, tissue paper, lip balm, nail clippers, razors, shaving cream, feminine products, etc.
The warehouse, at 426 William St., will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.
You can also make a cash donation to the British Columbia Wildfire Campaign (canadahelps.org and search for Disaster Aid Canada).
For more information, go to the Disaster Aid Canada Facebook page.